Methods and systems for remediating contaminated soil

ABSTRACT

A system and method for remediation of contaminated soil are provided. The system comprises a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil and a plurality of multi-functional conduits located within the contaminated soil. Each multi-functional conduit defines a reaction housing. The multi-functional conduits includes heating elements for introducing heat into the contaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within the contaminated soil, without utilizing mechanically driven forced air. This produces a contaminated vapor. The system and allows for re-circulation of vapors generated during breakdown of contaminants allowing for use of the re-circulated vapor for heat production and energy use. The system may be utilized for remote access and portability to disparate locations whereby the system does not require use of a container or receptacle. A substantial portion of the contaminants in the contaminated vapor are destroyed in the reaction housing. A substantially non-contaminated vapor is produced in which at least about 80% by weight of the contaminants have been destroyed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/042,129 filed on Mar. 4, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,920 onJan. 11, 2011 and continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/535,612 filed on Jan. 13, 2006, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,966on Apr. 22, 2008, and a national stage enter under 35 USC 371 ofPCT/US03/38839 filed on Dec. 5, 2003, that claims priority back to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/431,388 filed on Dec. 5, 2002, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and systems for remediatingcontaminated soil, and more particularly to methods and systems forvolatilizing contaminants in the soil and effectively and efficientlydestroying the same therefrom. Systems for conducting fluids through asoil stack are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,321 describes a rockchannel heat storage method involving conduit connections providedwithin a rock-filled channel. The conduits are used to conduct fluidthrough the rock pile to either absorb or disperse thermal energy.Soviet Patent 837,997 describes a method for the thermal treatment ofembankment soil. A main hold 3 receives heated combusted gas and directssame into spiral holes 5 which are vented through valves 8.U.S. Pat. No.4,036,285 describes an arrangement to control heat flow between a memberand its environment including conduit members which conduct heattransfer fluid underground. Other patents which show devices forconducting fluid through a soil stack include U.S. Pat. Nos. 123,384;2,332,227, 3,105,134; 3,564,862; 3,935,900; 5,449,113; Soviet Union600,262; Soviet Union 996,662; and Fed. Rep. Germany 2,706,740.

Systems for removing contaminants from the ground are also known. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,788 removes contaminants from the ground bycirculating air between two substantially parallel wells and by removingthe vapors of the organic compounds from the circulated air using atleast one of a condenser and a demister. U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,329 relatesto in situ decontamination by injecting a hot gas into boreholes formedin a contaminated soil area. A method is also provided in U.S. Pat. No.5,018,576 for in situ decontamination of contaminated subsurface areasby injection of steam into injection wells and withdrawing of liquidsand vapors from the wells under sub-atmospheric pressure.

Systems have also been known for removing contaminants from soil pilesor soil stacks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,811 relates generally to in situdecontamination of soil using radio frequency induction heating. In U.S.Pat. No. 5,035,537, soil, porous rock, and similar contaminatedmaterials are gathered, dispersed uniformly on a horizontal surface, andtreated with an emulsifying agent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,852 relates to a method and apparatus for removingvolatile contaminants from contaminated soil which has been stacked ontoa first vapor-tight liner. A first set of air distribution pipesdisposed within the soil stack each of which has an opened end, a closedend, and a plurality of perforations located in the body of the pipes.An air stream is introduced into the open end of the distribution pipesand exits the distribution pipes through the perforations and into thecontaminated soil stack. The air flows from the distribution pipes,through the contaminated soil, and volatilizes contaminants within thecontaminated soil. The airflow from the distribution pipes employs agravel filter medium to prevent the perforations in the distributionpipes from clogging. The volatized vapor created as a result of theinduced airflow is carried by the airflow through the soil, and isexhausted from the soil. The volatilized vapors exiting the soil stackare disposed of through an external vapor treatment system. A secondvapor-tight liner is placed over the soil stack creating an imperviousenclosure between the respective first and second liners, which aretypically formed of a polyethylene film. In order to avoid melting ofthe first and/or second liners, the temperature of the soil stack wouldhave to be maintained below the melting temperature of the respectiveliners.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,445 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,236 are directed to asimilar process to U.S. Pat. No. '852 except that they provide arecirculating system which destroys the contaminant phase and returnsheated decontaminated air to the air distributions pipes. Theair-heating unit, which is located outside of the soil stack, heats theair to a temperature between 275 and 300 degrees F.

The above-described methods and systems, which are incorporated hereinby reference, have a number of drawbacks. They are closed loop systemswhich recirculates a substantial portion of the heated air after thecontaminants are burned or removed. Recirculation of air through heatersreduces oxygen in the air stream thereby reducing the effective level ofvolatilization. These systems of U.S. Pat. No. '852, U.S. Pat. No. '445and U.S. Pat. No. '236 make use of a vacuum to encourage contaminants toachieve vapor phase which has proven to be an ineffective approach foraffecting remediation. As previously stated, the temperature of thevolatizing air must be maintained below the melting temperature of thesealing member in order to maintain its structural integrity. The aboveprior art systems are designed to move the vaporized contaminantsthrough the soil stack into the space there above surrounded by theflexible sealing member. Therefore, the soil cannot be packed down tomaintain the structural integrity of the soil stack without adverselyaffecting the efficiency of the remediation process.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,882, a system and method for remediation ofcontaminated soil removed from a soil site is provided. This U.S. Pat.No. 6,000,882 is incorporated herein by reference. The contaminated soilis placed upon several layers of perforated heating pipes forming aremediation cell, and the entire cell is covered by a galvanized QuonsetHut-shaped steel building to prevent the escape of vapors from the soilcell. Heating air introduced into perforated heating pipes, heatconductively heats the contaminated soil creating a differentialpressure area around the heated pipes. This results in the migration ofvolatilized contaminants and moisture through the perforations in thepipe walls and into the lower pressure area within the heated steelpipes, forcing the contaminants from the soil and into an off-gastreatment system. The forced air system described in U.S. Pat. No.6,000,822 generates a substantial volume of heated air which is a burdenon capacity and operability of the subject contaminant removal system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,815 B1 relates to an apparatus as disclosed forthermal desorption of contaminants from contaminated material, theapparatus including: a plurality of first insulated boxes, eachinsulated box, defining a volume effective for holding contaminatedmaterial, and each insulated box defining an opening at the top of theinsulated box; at least one top effective to fit on the opening of theinsulated box and each top defining a pattern of heater orifices; aplurality of heaters, the heaters being insertable into the volume forholding contaminated material, through the heater orifices defined bythe top; and a vapor extraction system effective to-remove vapors fromwithin the volume for holding contaminated material.

PCT/US02/116395 was converted into a national application in the U.S.patent on Nov. 20, 2003. This US application which is incorporatedherein by reference, is directed to a system and method for remediationof contaminated soil. The system comprises a soil remediation cell ofcontaminated soil, and a plurality of multi-functional perforated pipeslocated within the contaminated soil. The multi-functional perforatedpipes operate as (a) heating elements for introducing heat into thecontaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within thecontaminated soil without utilizing mechanically driven forced airthereby producing a contaminated vapor, and (b) flow channels forremoving the contaminated vapor from within the soil remediation cell. Ahigh temperature covering, located about the soil remediation cell,forms a chamber over the soil remediation cell which receives andcollects in the chamber the contaminated vapor which has been releasedfrom the multi-functional perforated pipes. The means for collectingand/or destroying contaminants in the contaminated vapors collected inthe storage chamber can also be employed in conjunction with the soilremediation cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawbacks have been met by the systems and methodsof the present invention.

The subject invention is not a closed loop system as indicated in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,213,445 and 5,067,832. The system and method of thisinvention also does not make use of a vacuum to encourage contaminantsto achieve vapor phase. The system and method herein are designed totreat both volatile and semi-volatile contaminants as well as a widevariety of soil types (frozen, very wet, high clay content, etc.) Unlikethe prior art systems and methods, in the process and method of thisinvention, soil can be packed down without decreasing the efficiency ofthe system. Moreover, the system and method described herein allows theability to re-circulate the vapors generated during breakdown ofcontaminants allowing for use of the re-circulated vapor for heatproduction and energy use. Still further, the system and methoddescribed herein allows for portability and use of the system in remotelocations whereby the system does not require use of a container orreceptacle.

The system and methods of the present invention also meet the drawbacksof the use of forced heated air as the medium for transporting heat tothe contaminated soil and transporting the contaminated vapor away fromthe contaminated soil as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,822. Thesystem and methods of the present invention do not employ forced, heatedair.

More specifically, a system for remediation of contaminated soil isprovided. The system comprises a soil remediation cell of contaminatedsoil and a plurality of multi-functional conduits located within saidcontaminated soil. Each said multi-functional conduit defines a reactionhousing.

Preferably each said multi-functional conduit has a perforated portioncomprising a plurality of perforations and a non-perforated portion,respectively. This non-perforated portion defines the reaction housing.The contaminated vapors flow preferably into and through the perforatedportion and into the non-perforated portion. The perforated portion canbe joined to the outer surface of the non-perforated portion.

Preferably, an opening is defined between the perforated portion and thenon-perforated portion to facilitate the flow of the contaminated vaporsfrom the perforated portion to the non-perforated portion. This openingis preferably located in the center portion of the multi-functionalconduits. In a preferred form of this invention, the contaminated vaporsmoves into and through the perforated portion and into thenon-perforated portion, due to a pressure differential created by theheat introduced into, and generated within, the contaminated soil. Theperforated portion preferably comprises a perforated tube and thenon-perforated portion comprises a non-perforated tube. Themulti-functions conduits preferably comprise an expansion portionlocated adjacent to one end thereof.

The multi-functional conduits include heating elements for introducingheat into the contaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminantslocated within the contaminated soil, without utilizing mechanicallydriven forced air, thereby producing a contaminated vapor.

The heat is introduced through heating elements located within themulti-functional conduits into the contaminated soil through the wallsof the conduits. Thus, the multi-functional conduits are preferablyheated to a temperature which will raise the temperature of contaminatedsoil above 212 degrees F. as hereinafter described. Extremely hightemperature can also be employed depending on the temperaturelimitations of the multi-functional conduits and any covering which maybe employed. Thus, in cases where multi-functional conduits and thecovering are used which can withstand extremely high temperatures, i.e.,from 2,000 up to 3,000 degrees F., a corresponding extremely hightemperature heat can be employed.

The multi-functional conduits operate in several ways. In one functionof the conduits heat can be imparted to the contaminated soil,volatilizing the contaminants located within the contaminated soil, andthereby producing a pressurized, contaminated vapor. This will typicallycause the contaminated soil to be heated to an average temperature of atleast about 212 degree F., preferably to an average temperature of atleast about 250 degree F., more preferably to an average temperature ofat least about 500 degree F., and most preferably to an averagetemperature of at least about 1000 degree F. A further function of themulti-functional conduits is providing a path for removing thecontaminated vapor from within the multi-layer soil remediation unitthrough the multi-functional conduits. The remediation cell is typicallymulti-layered and formed of a plurality of adjacent layers ofcontaminated soil, and a plurality of multi-functional conduits arelocated between the adjacent layers of contaminated soil. Themulti-functional conduits are preferably arranged in a substantiallyhorizontal plane with respect to the horizontal axis of said remediationcell. A substantial amount of the contaminated vapors are typicallydestroyed within the low-pressure dehydrated soil prior to entering themulti-functional conduits.

More specifically, flow channels are provided which extend though themulti-functional conduits for removing the contaminated vapor fromwithin the soil remediation cell. Preferably, this function isaccomplished by conductively heating the contaminated soil with the hightemperature heat, thereby volatilizing the contaminants located withinthe contaminated soil and producing a pressurized, contaminated vapor.Preferably, perforations provided in the multi-functional conduits actas flow channels allowing the contaminated vapors to migrate from thecontaminated soil, through the perforations, and into and through themulti-functional conduits. The contaminated vapors typically move fromthe contaminated soil, where the vapors are under high pressure, throughthe perforations in, for example, multi-functional manifolds, and intothe multi-functional conduits which are maintained at low pressure. Themovement of the contaminated vapors is therefore preferably due to thepressure differential between the high-pressure soil and thelow-pressure conduits. By removing the contaminated vapor from withinthe soil remediation cell through the multi-functional conduits, thecontaminants are expurgated from the contaminated soil. However, anadditional advantage is to use the contaminated vapor as an energysource. The vapor produced by the system may be utilized andre-circulated through the system to be utilized to facilitate theheating elements. The vapor which is usually in a heightened temperaturemay re-circulate and used by the heating elements to keep thecontaminated soil at a higher temperature point, thereby diminishingand/or eliminating the additional power necessary to fuel the heatingelements.

However, it should be understood that the multi-functional conduits mayprovide for the destruction of the contaminated vapors as they are movedby vapor pressure from the soil into the multi-functional conduits.Inside the multi-functional conduits, the contaminated vapors must passwithin a reaction housing wherein a substantial portion of thecontaminants in the contaminated vapor in the contaminated vapor aredestroyed so as to produce a substantially non-contaminated vapor.Preferably, the contaminated vapor is destroyed within the confines ofthe remediation cell and the non-contaminated vapor may be utilized topower the heating elements.

The system of the present invention can destroy at least about 80% byweight of the contaminants in the contaminated vapor. Preferably atleast about 85% by weight, more preferably at least about 90% by weight,and most preferably at least about 95% by weight, of the contaminants inthe contaminated vapor are destroyed by the use of the subject system.

Due to a pressure differential created by the high temperature vaporswithin the contaminated soil, the system of this invention preferablydoes not require any moving parts to move air, because the vapors arenot in the air moving through the soil which volatilized thecontaminants. Instead, the vapors are formed by the conductive heatingof the soil. Vapors do not move through the soil to the top of the soilcell, but rather into the conduits and along the heating elements andinto the exhaust chamber. In the alternative, the vapors may bere-circulated through the conduits and back to the heating elementswhereby they may be utilized to generate heating power for the heatingelements The amount of contaminated vapor that flows from themulti-functional perforated conduits into the reaction housing ispreferably controlled by the amount of heat introduced into thecontaminated soil.

Preferably, the non-contaminate vapor does not include more than about0.01% of nitrogen oxides. More preferably, the non-contaminate vapordoes not include substantially any nitrogen oxides.

When the vapors are removed from within the multi-layer soil remediationunit, the moisture level is substantially reduced in the contaminatedsoil, preferably to an average moisture level of less than about 5% byweight, more preferably to an average moisture level of less than about2% by weight, and most preferably to an average moisture level of lessthan about 1% by weight.

The heat for destroying the contaminants in the contaminated soil istypically produced by an electrical current. Typically, this heat isinfrared heat. However, in an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the heat may be generated from both electric current and fromthe re-circulation of the vapors from the contaminated soils. In anexemplary embodiment, the vapors may be presented with a reactiveportion whereby when energized, the vapor may be converted intoadditional heat, thereby reducing the amount of electrical currentand/or gas needed to produce the necessary heat.

Moreover, the system has a sound level and a dust level in the area ofthe remediation cell, which are substantially reduced due the absence ofsubstantial equipment in the system having moving mechanical parts. Thesystem of the present invention also preferably maintains a substantialconstant level of soil remediation due to either a substantially fixedheat introduction rate or a substantially fixed heat temperature.

The system of this invention further includes a high temperaturecovering. The remediation cell soil and said plurality ofmulti-functional conduits are also located within a structuralenclosure. The structural enclosure preferably defines an open bottom tofacilitate removal of the non-contaminated soil. The structuralenclosure also preferably includes support members for maintaining theintegrity of the structural enclosure during soil removal. Thestructural enclosure can comprise a trailer or a container. Thecontainer preferably has an open bottom for facilitating the expulsionof the non-contaminated soil there from. Preferably, themulti-functional conduits are connected to the structural enclosure.Typically, a vapor space is provided above the soil remediation cell.The vapor space can comprise a steam vapor space which, duringremediation of the contaminated soil, provides a path for the vapors inthis space to migrate into the multi-function conduits. The preferredstructural enclosure is insulated, and is stackable onto anotherstructural enclosure.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the systemdescribed herein is portable and removable. Thereby, no container and/orenclosure is needed to effectuate remediation of contaminated soil. Inan exemplary embodiment, the system has only a shell of a containerand/or receptacle consisting of at least two end panels and two sidepanels. It may be contemplated that a floor area be defined, but notnecessary. By utilizing the this design, the system may be utilized witha plurality of different environments and area materials includingconcrete or excavated ground and the like. The heating elements andtheir housing in the exemplary embodiment of this design may beconfigured to run vertically for the ease of placement and use whendesired. However, it should be understood that the heating elements andtheir housing may also have horizontal placement as long as the two endpanels are in place.

A method for remediating contaminated soil is also provided. The methodcomprises forming a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil, and aplurality of multi-functional conduits located within said contaminatedsoil. Each multi-functional conduit defines a reaction housing.Substantial heat from the multi-functional conduits is introduced intothe contaminated soil, volatilizing the contaminants located within thecontaminated soil. This is accomplished without utilizing mechanicallydriven forced air, which a contaminated vapor is produced. Next, thecontaminated vapor is removed from within the contaminated soil throughflow channels within said multi-functional conduits. Then, thecontaminated vapor is introduced into said reaction housing. Finally, asubstantial portion of the contaminants in said contaminated vapor aredestroyed within the reaction housing, so as to produce a substantiallynon-contaminated vapor in which at least about 80% by weight of thecontaminants have been destroyed whereby at least a portion of the vapormay be re-circulated to the heating elements and used as energy to powerthe heating elements. As described above, each said multi-functionalconduit has a perforated portion comprising a plurality of perforationsforming flow channels for removing the contaminated vapor from the soil,and a non-perforated portion which defines the reaction housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of a preferred system 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, end of the system 1 of FIG. 1 taken along line2-2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of a preferred system 1 a of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic end of system 1 a.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, sectional schematic view of a multi-functionalconduit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarge view of the conduit and re-circulation of thevapors to the conduit in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, systems 1 and 1 a are provided for remediationof contaminated soil which is removed from or stored at a contaminatedsoil remediation site.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 1 of the present invention cancomprise a multi-layer contaminated soil remediation cell formed of aplurality of adjacent layers of contaminated soil 12 a-12 e, having aplurality of multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d located between theadjacent layers of contaminated soil, all housed within a structuralenclosure 10, which in this case comprises a transportable trailer. Themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d are supported by conduit supports32. The conduit supports 32 also function as a vapor path from themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d to the exhaust manifold 24.

In order to prepare for use of one of these remediation cells, a 20ft×40 ft work area is cleared and leveled. This work area can compriseconcrete, soil, asphalt or any other surface that can support the weightof the system 1 including the contaminated soil that will be treated.

The system 1 is set in place and cover 16 is removed. The cover 16 isbuilt for high temperature conditions and is typically manufactured fromkevlar or steel. Once the cover 16 is removed, contaminated soil isintroduced into the enclosure 10 leaving a space between the top surfaceof the contaminated soil and top surface of the enclosure 10. Typically,this can be within six inches of the top of the enclosure 10. Thisallows for a vapor space 46 (see FIG. 4) above the contaminated soil. Avapor path 48 is provided for the vapor space 46 which is incommunication with the multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d. Once theenclosure 10 is filled with contaminated soil, the cover 16 is put inplace and sealed. A high temperature gasket material 18 on the perimeterof the cover 16 forms a vapor barrier for limiting the escape of vaporsproduced during the volatilization of the contaminants in thecontaminated soil. An electrical supply 30 is provided to the powercontrol panel 20 located at one end of the contaminated soil remediationunit. As shown in FIG. 5, heating elements 22 are connected to the powercontrol panel 20 at one end of the contaminated soil remediation unit.These connections 50 are designed to withstand the effects of hightemperature operation and soil flow. The power control panel 20 isenergized and the heating elements 22 begin to introduce infrared heatinto the contaminated soil.

As the contaminated soil 12 a-12 e is heated, the applied heat creates atemperature gradient extending outward from the multi-functionalconduits 14 a-14 d, with the contaminated soil closest to themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d having the highest temperature. Asthe contaminated soil temperature reaches 212 degrees F., the moistureand the contaminants in the contaminated soil immediately adjacent tothe multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d are converted from a liquid to agas phase. This vapor is at high pressure and flows into themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d which is the low pressure pointwithin the contaminated soil. As a result, the contaminated soilimmediately adjacent to the multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d isundergoes dehydration. The dehydrated soil substantially surrounds themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d. As heat continues to be applied tothe contaminated soil, the contaminated soil surrounding themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d reaches 212 degrees F., and thewater and contaminants in the soils volatilize creating zones of highpressure vapors. The difference in pressure between the respective highand low pressure areas forces contaminated vapor, depicted as arrows, tomove through the dehydrated soil and into the multi-functional conduits14 a-14 d.

Referring to FIG. 5, the contaminated vapors enter the perforatedportion 36 of the multi-functional conduits 14. The perforated portion36 is joined to the outer surface of the non-perforated portion 38. Anopening 40 is located between the perforated portion 36 and thenon-perforated portion 38 to facilitate the flow of contaminated vaporsfrom the perforated portion 36 to the non-perforated portion 38. Anexpansion area 42 is provided for the multi-functional conduits 14 asthey enlarge when heated during the remediation process.

The dehydrated soil acts as a pathway for the high-pressure vapor. Moistsoil surrounding the multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d, dehydratedsoil and soil containing the high-pressure vapor acts as a vaporbarrier. Also, a substantial amount of the contaminants are destroyedwithin the low-pressure dehydrated soil prior to entering themulti-functional conduits 14 a-14 d.

Once inside the multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d, a substantialamount of the contaminants present in the contaminated vapor aredestroyed by the heat generated by high temperature heating elements 22.The remaining decontaminated vapor then flows through the conduitsupports 32 (see FIGS. 1-4) and into the exhaust chamber 24 where it isexhausted into the atmosphere. Flexible steel hose 52 connects theconduit supports 32 to the exhaust chamber 24.

It is understood that the quantity, size and relative configuration,etc., of multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d and contaminated soillayers 12 a-12 e can vary depending on circumstances involved in a givenremediation situation.

Infrared heating elements 22 located inside the multi-functionalconduits 14 a-14 d supply infrared heat for volatilizing thecontaminants and water present in the contaminated soil. Heatingelements 22 which, for example, can be employed in the systems 1 and 1 agenerate approximately 6000 watts of power.

The multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d are typically manufactured fromstainless steel (approximately ¼ “wall thickness”) so as to preventdamage from heavy equipment and/or falling debris (during loading).

All sides of the enclosure 10 have insulation 34 disposed thereon tominimize heat loss from the remediation operation. This insulation istypically ceramic insulation protected by a Teflon cover.

Typically, this system is designed to allow treatment of contaminatedsoil in 1 to 75 ton batches. The equipment can be modified to treatlarger volumes if needed.

Once treatment is complete (typically 24 to 48 hrs), the electricalpower is turned off and the soil is dumped from the unit by operation ofa hydraulic hoist 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the system 1 a of the present inventioncan comprise of a multi-layer soil remediation cell formed of aplurality of adjacent layers of contaminated soil 12 a-12 e, having aplurality of multi-functional conduits 14 a-14 d located between theadjacent layers of contaminated soil, all housed within a bolt-togethertransportable container 28, which is typically fabricated of a metalsuch as structural steel. This system 1 a is structurally andfunctionally similar to the above-described system 1 except when thecontaminated soil treatment is complete, the container 28 is lifted andthe soil contained therein is able to flow out the open bottom of thestructural enclosure. Internal support members 44 is employed tomaintain the structural integrity of the container 28 as it is beinglifted. These containers 28 can be stacked atop each other for operationor transport.

FIG. 6 illustrates the open design of the system. In an embodiment, manyof the components in the system may be eliminated. For example, only thefirst end panel 101 and the second end panel 103 are employed, andfurther whereby a first side panel 105 and a second side panel 107 mayalso be utilized. By utilizing this design, it is possible to have manydifferent types of contamination areas that may be utilized by thissystem. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may be portable and maybe utilized in one location and then removed from the contaminated soiland placed in another location in need of de-contamination. In anexemplary embodiment, the heating elements and their housings may beconfigured either vertically and/or horizontally.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the ability of the system to re-circulate thevapors produced by the system. In an exemplary embodiment, the vaporscreated and directed from the conduits may be channeled to a positionthat would normally exhaust the air 60. However, the system may have apipe 111 that may channel the vapors back into the flexible steel hose52 that connects the housing to the heating elements. However, it shouldbe appreciated that the vapors may be directly fed into the heatingelements whereby they may be utilized to create additional heatingsupply by reacting the vapors with a reactant, and/or burning the vaporsto produce additional heating supply that directly powers the system.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of the release agent of thepresent invention have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however,to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides thosealready described are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to berestricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, ininterpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should beinterpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context.In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should beinterpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in anon-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for remediation of contaminatedsoil, comprising: a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil; andplurality of multi-functional conduits having a perforated portioncomprising a plurality of perforations and a non-perforated portionlocated within said contaminated soil, each said multi-functionalconduit defining a reaction housing, said multi-functional conduitsincluding: (a) heating elements for introducing heat into thecontaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within thecontaminated soil; (b) flow channels extending therethrough for removingsaid contaminated vapor from within said soil remediation cell; and (c)said reaction housing wherein a substantial portion of the contaminantsin said contaminated vapor are re-circulated within the system wherebythe re-circulate vapors are utilized to facilitate heating of thecontaminated soil.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each saidmulti-functional conduit has a perforated portion comprising a pluralityof perforations and a non-perforated portion, respectively.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein said non-perforated portion defines saidreaction housing.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-contaminatevapor does not include substantially any nitrogen oxides.
 5. The systemof claim 1, which does not include any additional recovery equipment todestroy said contaminants.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thenon-contaminate vapor does not include more than about 0.01% of nitrogenoxides.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least about 95% by weightof said contaminants have been destroyed.
 8. The system of claim 2,wherein the contaminated vapors flow into and through the perforatedportion and into the non-perforated portion.
 9. The system of claim 2,wherein said perforated portion is joined to the outer surface of saidnon-perforated portion, an opening being defined between the perforatedportion and the non-perforated portion to facilitate the flow of saidcontaminated vapors from said perforated portion to said non-perforatedportion and further wherein the opening is in the center portion of themulti-functional conduits.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontaminated vapors moves into and through the perforated portion andinto the non-perforated portion, due to a pressure differential createdby the heat introduced into, and generated within, the contaminatedsoil.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein said perforated portioncomprises a perforated tube and said non-perforated portion comprises anon-perforated tube.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the amount ofcontaminated vapor that flows from the multi-functional conduits intothe reaction housing is controlled by the amount of said heat introducedinto said contaminated soil.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein saidheat is produced by an electrical current.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the system is portable and useable in a plurality of differentenvironments.
 15. The system of claim 1, which has a sound level and adust level in the area of the remediation cell which are substantiallyreduced due the absence of substantial equipment in the system havingmoving mechanical parts.
 16. The system of claim 1, whereinmulti-functional conduits are arranged in a substantially horizontalplane with respect to the horizontal axis of said remediation cell. 17.The system of claim 1 wherein the multi-functional conduits are arrangedin a vertical plane with respect to the soil in which the conduits areplaced.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein said remediation cell soiland said plurality of multi-functional conduits are portable and may bereused in a plurality of different contamination sights needingde-contamination.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein a vapor space isprovided above said soil remediation cell and further wherein a tube isprovided to re-circulate the vapors for heating of the soil.
 20. Amethod for remediating contaminated soil, comprising: forming a soilremediation cell of contaminated soil, and a plurality ofmulti-functional conduits located within said contaminated soil, eachsaid multi-functional conduit defining a reaction housing; introducingsubstantial heat from said multi-functional conduits into thecontaminated soil and volatilizing the contaminants located within thecontaminated soil, without utilizing mechanically driven forced air,thereby producing a contaminated vapor; channeling said contaminatedvapor from within said contaminated soil through flow channels withinsaid multi-functional conduits; introducing said contaminated vapor intosaid reaction housing; and destroying a substantial portion of thecontaminants in said contaminated vapor within the reaction housingutilizing high temperature heating elements so as to produce asubstantially non-contaminated vapor whereby the non-contaminated vaporis re-circulated within the system to facilitate heating of thecontaminated soil.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein each saidmulti-functional conduit has a perforated portion comprising a pluralityof perforations forming flow channels for removing said contaminatedvapor, and a non-perforated portion defining said reaction housing.